Best beer stores in NYC

American Beer Distributing Company
Though the craft-beer craze has picked up steam in recent years, stocking the brews locals want is just business as usual for the Marino family, who have adapted to the evolving tastes of the 'hood since opening their warehouse in 1948. The democratic stock satisfies tastes both lowbrow (36-packs of Coors $23.99) and high (Bruery Saison Rue, 25-ounce bottle $14.99), with 500 globe-trotting bottles. Prices are as fair as you'll find in these parts: 64-ounce growler fills from a rotating cast of ten craft breweries go for just $10. And if you're having a party, choose from the 25 different kegs—including Captain Lawrence Pale Ale ($139)—or set aside a selection of bottles and get them delivered almost anywhere in Brooklyn (delivery fee $7, with a $75 minimum). 256 Court St at Butler St, Cobble Hill, Brooklyn (718-875-0226)

Bierkraft
This hops emporium frequently offers brand-new brews from local up-and-comers such as Greenport Harbor, as well as obscure seasonal releases and hard-to-find vintages, like a 2007 Bare Tree Weiss Wine from Illinois's Two Brothers. The mind-boggling stock of 1,100 bottles is complemented by two sets of 14 draft lines: one specially designed to fill growlers without letting in any freshness-killing oxygen, and one set aside for pouring pints that patrons can enjoy in the homey 35-seat caf area. On Tuesdays, the place is packed for free 7pm tastings. 191 Fifth Ave at Berkeley Pl, Park Slope, Brooklyn (718-230-7600, bierkraft.com)

Brouwerij Lane
When this brew shop opened in 2009, it was a pioneer of the growler mania that has since swept the city. And while you can still top up your glass jug with one of 19 microbrews (20 on Fridays) and imports on tap, Brouwerij Lane is more than a filling station. It also offers one of the city's most intriguing bottle selections—recently we spotted Captain Lawrence's wine-barrel--aged Smoke from the Oak ($23) and Our Finest Regards Barleywine ($14) from Pretty Things—and it doubles as Greenpoint's best (and best-value) beer bar. A half pint of most beers costs $3; a full pint is $5. 78 Greenpoint Ave at Franklin St, Greenpoint, Brooklyn (347-529-6133, brouwerijlane.com)

The Ginger Man
Growler service in midtown isn't as prevalent as it is in Brooklyn, where even Duane Reade is getting in on the act these days. But it's only fitting that the Ginger Man—a craft pioneer since 1996—would change that. Inside the 5,000-square-foot pub you can sample an international lineup of suds pouring from 70 taps and two casks, then cart off your favorite selections in a 64-ounce screw-top ($6) or porcelain flip-top ($25) growler. You can also fill mix-and-match six-packs with bottles ($6--$50) from the collection of 150 offeringss. All to-go beer orders are 15% off the regular price. 11 E 36th St between Fifth and Madison Aves (212-532-3740, gingerman-ny.com)

Good Beer
We love the community vibe of the city's newest caf-cum-beer-shop. You can pop in to fill your growler from the dozen draft lines or snag bottles from the geographically arranged, 600-deep selection, but you'll be tempted to hang out for a bit. Patrons gather around tables to down pints ($6) or sip flights (four four-ounce pours, $8) alongside grass-fed hot dogs and in-state cheeses. Every other week, expect a different brewery to come in and introduce its wares. Next up: a free tasting with Cobble Hill's Kelso Brewery on Tuesday 22. 422 E 9th St between First Ave and Ave A (212-677-4836, goodbeernyc.com)